I am just reaching out right now. I am on PEP due to being drugged and assaulted. I am extremely worried and could just use a little support right now. Has anyone had experiences with PEP?

I am certain the person is positive and I have filled a police report but it was later and I didn't have a rape kit done. I went on PEP 44/46 hours after the incident and just would like to talk to people.

Hi Trk Welcome to Male Survivor!I'm sorry to hear that you've been assaulted by that bastard I don't have experience with PEP but I hope it will work for you, I'll pray for best possible outcome. Hang on buddy!

I don't know what protocol they're using for PEP right now. Perhaps you can fill us in.

I'm 20+ years poz and, though these aren't directly related to HIV, for years I've used Bactrim (pneumonia) and Acyclovir (100mg/daily). PEP depends, too, on what side effects, if any, you can tolerate. I suppose what I'm saying is that there's no need to panic.

PEP I think also may depend on your numbers. A CD4 absolute count of 350 has often the baseline for initiating treatment. However, viral load measurement is often more important because it identifies the number of HIV copies that can attack the CD4 cells. The lower you can bring that number, the less potential damage.

CD4% (pctg of lymphocytes that are CD4) is now considered a more reliable indication of immune system health. Normal is about 40%.

Prophylaxis means disease prevention. Post-exposure prophylaxis (or PEP) means taking antiretroviral medications (ARVs) as soon as possible after exposure to HIV, so that the exposure will not result in HIV infection. These medications are only available with a prescription. PEP should begin within as soon as possible after exposure to HIV but certainly within 72 hours. Treatment with 2 or 3 ARVs should continue for 4 weeks, if tolerated.WHO SHOULD USE PEP?Workplace exposure

PEP has been standard procedure since 1996 for healthcare workers exposed to HIV. Workers start taking medications within a few hours of exposure. Usually the exposure is from a “needle stick,” when a health care worker accidentally gets jabbed with a needle containing HIV-infected blood. PEP reduced the rate of HIV infection from workplace exposures by 79%. However, some health care workers who take PEP still get HIV infection.Other exposure

In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control reviewed information on PEP. They concluded that it should also be available for use after HIV exposures that are not work-related. People can be exposed to HIV during unsafe sexual activity, when a condom breaks during sex, or if they share needles for injecting drugs. Infants can be exposed if they drink breast milk from an infected woman. In a study of PEP in 400 cases of possible sexual exposure to HIV, not one person became infected with HIV.SHOULD PEP BE USED FOR NON-OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE?

HIV exposure at work is usually a one-time accident. Other HIV exposures may be due to unsafe behaviors that can occur many times. Some people think that PEP might encourage this unsafe behavior if people think that PEP is an easy way to avoid HIV infection.

There are other reasons why PEP might not be a good idea for non-occupational exposure:

There is no research to show that PEP works for non-occupational exposure. We don’t know how soon after exposure to HIV someone has to start PEP. PEP is not a “morning-after pill.” It is a program of several drugs, several times each day, for at least 30 days. PEP costs between $600 and $1,000. For best results, you have to take every dose of every PEP medication. Missing doses could mean that you develop HIV infection. It could also allow the virus to develop resistance to the medications. If that happens they would no longer work for you. The medications have serious side effects. About 40% of health care workers did not complete PEP because of the side effects.

Despite these concerns, there is growing interest in PEP for non-occupational exposure. Most programs include counseling to inform and encourage people to avoid exposure to HIV.HOW IS PEP TAKEN?

PEP should be started as soon as possible after exposure to HIV. The medications used in PEP depend on the exposure to HIV. The following situations are considered serious exposure:

Exposure to a large amount of blood. Blood came in contact with cuts or open sores on the skin. Blood was visible on a needle that stuck someone. Exposure to blood from someone who has a high viral load (a large amount of virus in the blood).

For serious exposures, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends using a combination of three approved ARVs for four weeks. For less serious exposure, the guidelines recommend four weeks of treatment with two drugs: AZT and 3TC.

In January 2001, the Centers for Disease Control warned against using nevirapine for PEP because of the risk of liver damage. See Fact Sheet 431 for more information on nevirapine. The CDC updated its PEP recommendations in September of 2005.WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?

The most common side effects from PEP medications are nausea and generally not feeling well. Other possible side effects include headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. For more information, see the fact sheets on individual ARVs.THE BOTTOM LINE

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the use of ARVs as soon as possible after exposure to HIV, to prevent HIV infection. PEP can reduce the rate of infection in health care workers exposed to HIV by 79%.

The benefits of PEP for non-occupational exposure have not been proven. This use of PEP is controversial because some people fear it will encourage unsafe behaviors.

PEP is a four-week program of two or three ARVs, several times a day. The medications have serious side effects that can make it difficult to finish the program. PEP is not 100% effective; it can not guarantee that exposure to HIV will not become a case of HIV infection.

I
agree that my access and use of the MaleSurvivor discussion forums and
chat room is subject to the terms of this Agreement. AND the sole
discretion of MaleSurvivor. I agree that my use of MaleSurvivor
resources are AT-WILL,
and that my posting privileges may be terminated at any time, and for
any reason by MaleSurvivor.